[Reuters] Telekom Austria and T-Mobile are launching new data roaming rates to allow controllable surfing abroad in a race to get an edge in the mobile data market and monetize the explosion of data usage.
Telekom Austria will allow consumers, regardless of their domestic provider, to buy a data package -- called abroadband --- tailored to their needs and pay for the service through credit cards or PayPal, the Austrian telecom operator said late on Tuesday at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
The offer will initially be available in 27 countries and later be accessible in 53 countries worldwide.
While operators offer data packages in their domestic markets that allow predictable rates, consumers who use their mobile devices abroad often get what has been dubbed bill shock due to high data roaming rates.
The initial price will range between 19.90 euros ($26.87) and 49.90 euros depending on whether users buy a SIM card, a Micro SIM card or a USB modem box.
The standard usage price will be 0.59 euros per MB and allow downloading of up to 7.2 Mbps.
"With abroadband, we are enabling both business and leisure travellers to be online for the first time at a standard and cheap tariff worldwide," Chief Executive Hannes Ametsreiter said.
German rival T-Mobile, owned by Deutsche Telekom (DTEGn.DE), also announced new data roaming tariffs for travellers on Tuesday although they are limited to the European Union. They will be available from the second half of the year, T-Mobile said.
T-Mobile said customers can choose "virtually unlimited surfing" for 14.95 euros a week. They can also buy 10 MB per day for 1.95 euros or 50 MB for 4.95 euros per day.
Operators worldwide agree that mobile data is driving the industry's growth but are scrambling to increase revenue from mobile data and manage their network capacity as the surge in demand for data has not translated into equivalent revenue streams.
Managing data capacity amid the explosion of mobile data due to smartphones and other mobile devices is an ongoing issue and operators have just begun to retreat from the flat-rate tariffs they offered to attract consumers in the first place in an effort to ease network strain.
It has been mostly heavy data users who are taking advantage of unlimited usage but a host of other devices including tablet PC's, TVs, printers and household appliances may push the number of connected objects to 50 billion by 2020.
T. Austria, T-Mobile launch new data roaming rates
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Botswana - Regulator says that the three mobile operators are overcharging customers
[botswana gazette] Public Telecommunication Operators’ customers of the three cellphone providers in Botswana, namely Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC), Mascom Wireless and Orange and Botswana have been paying exorbitant call charges, it has been revealed.
Speaking to The Gazette on the sidelines of a press conference, Botswana Telecommunication Authority (BTA) spokesperson Aaron Nyelesi said they have established that the phone call operators’ charges are way above their costs.
It has also emerged that the Public Telecommunications Operators charge the customers up to 75 thebe and this will be cut to 45 thebe, when the operators implement a new BTA Directive that directs them to reduce prices.
“Every five years we relook at the costs. What BTA is saying is that their costs of providing services and charges to customers should be reflective of carrying service and that is why BTA has directed that they should reduce call costs; we are trying to align them to costs,” he said. Nyelesi explained that the directive does not mean that mobile operators would make losses. “They should make justifiable profits. We are also aware that by reducing mobile operators’ revenue, we are also reducing BTA’s revenue because we get three percent from their revenue,” he said.
Nyelesi added that the whole intention was to aid telecommunication development and BTA was not asking them to charge below their costs.
Asked how the call charges, fared as compared to other operators in the SADC region, Nyelesi said they were relatively low.
Briefing the press last Friday BTA Chief Executive Officer, Thari Pheko said the study was done in close collaboration with the public telecommunication operators
He said BTA has identified and determined challenges among others that there are incentives for distorted pricing of call termination across networks.
“There are undue discriminatory offerings to different service providers; there is ineffective wholesale pricing in general and there indications of high consumer retail tariffs; and there is potential for abuse of market power in certain market segments,” said Pheko.
“In order to address the challenges within the different market segments, the directive shall explicitly focus on fixed termination rates, mobile termination rates,” said Pheko.
In 2010 BTA carried out a study and it was on the basis of the study that BTA directs new pricing developments in the telecommunications industry.
Phone customers pay overpriced call charges
Speaking to The Gazette on the sidelines of a press conference, Botswana Telecommunication Authority (BTA) spokesperson Aaron Nyelesi said they have established that the phone call operators’ charges are way above their costs.
It has also emerged that the Public Telecommunications Operators charge the customers up to 75 thebe and this will be cut to 45 thebe, when the operators implement a new BTA Directive that directs them to reduce prices.
“Every five years we relook at the costs. What BTA is saying is that their costs of providing services and charges to customers should be reflective of carrying service and that is why BTA has directed that they should reduce call costs; we are trying to align them to costs,” he said. Nyelesi explained that the directive does not mean that mobile operators would make losses. “They should make justifiable profits. We are also aware that by reducing mobile operators’ revenue, we are also reducing BTA’s revenue because we get three percent from their revenue,” he said.
Nyelesi added that the whole intention was to aid telecommunication development and BTA was not asking them to charge below their costs.
Asked how the call charges, fared as compared to other operators in the SADC region, Nyelesi said they were relatively low.
Briefing the press last Friday BTA Chief Executive Officer, Thari Pheko said the study was done in close collaboration with the public telecommunication operators
He said BTA has identified and determined challenges among others that there are incentives for distorted pricing of call termination across networks.
“There are undue discriminatory offerings to different service providers; there is ineffective wholesale pricing in general and there indications of high consumer retail tariffs; and there is potential for abuse of market power in certain market segments,” said Pheko.
“In order to address the challenges within the different market segments, the directive shall explicitly focus on fixed termination rates, mobile termination rates,” said Pheko.
In 2010 BTA carried out a study and it was on the basis of the study that BTA directs new pricing developments in the telecommunications industry.
Phone customers pay overpriced call charges
New Zealand - Minister has proposed major changes to legislation including structural separation of Telecom NZ
[nz herald] Fundamental changes to telecommunications regulation tabled in Parliament this morning are giving Telecom its first look at the trade-off being offered in return for splitting itself into two separate companies.
Telecom is offering to structurally separate its wholesale infrastructure arm, Chorus, from its retail services arm in return for being allowed to participate in the government's $1.35 billion ultra-fast broadband initiative.
Telecom this morning reacted cautiously to the release of a proposed new regulatory framework that would come into force if the company separates.
Concerned as much as anything to prevent any perception of a "done deal" while it continues to negotiate with the government's UFB vehicle, Crown Fibre Holdings, Telecom said only that the proposals followed the Ministry of Economic Development's consultation process and that the company would "participate actively, along with other industry players, in the select committee process."
"Telecom remains focused on its on-going intense commercial negotiations with Crown Fibre Holdings," the company said.
The package unveiled today is intended to ensure Telecom can't build a dominant position in the telecommunications environment that will emerge as fibre-optic cable and wireless services gradually replace today's copper-based telephone networks.
Telecom's share price was unchanged at $2.24 in early NZX trading today.
The proposed amendments seek to preserve protections for end-users and competitors, reduce unnecessary costs and complexities, and ensure Telecom is "neither unduly advantaged nor disadvantaged by de-merging in areas such as tax and land access," said Communications Minister Steven Joyce.
Telecom has potential involvement in about 85 per cent of the proposed UFB urban roll-out, and for the $300 million rural broadband roll-out, in a joint-venture with Vodafone.
However, at this stage, Telecom's involvement has not been confirmed. It awaits the outcome of negotiations with Crown Fibre Holdings, the government's vehicle for UFB negotiations.
If successful, Telecom will then put proposals for structural separation to its shareholders.
If unsuccessful, or if shareholders were to reject structural separation, the proposed regulatory changes will not occur. Telecom made clear last year it needed substantial regulatory change because current rules reflect the telecommunications environment as it has been in the past, rather than as it will be when UFB is in place.
The company has yet to respond to the Supplementary Order Paper to the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband and Other Matters) Bill, tabled today, but has previously indicated it could not advance structural separation without this detail.
The two biggest changes outlined in the SOP are to vital aspects of the Telecommunications Service Obligations, which require Telecom to ensure "affordable basic telephone services for all New Zealanders" and have been in place, with modifications, since Telecom was privatised 20 years ago.
However, the SOP also says that there will be a broader review of the Local Service TSO arrangements by the end of 2013, "looking at issues such as whether the current funding arrangements are sustainable."
The first major change proposed is to regulated pricing for copper-based "layer two" services, which currently deliver the platform for non-fibre, fast internet. This will change from a "retail -minus approach to a cost-based approach," according to Ministry of Economic Development notes on the SOP.
This is required because a separated Chorus, delivering such services, would not be offering retail products, so no "retail-minus" price could be deduced.
The second major change is to the way prices for telephone services are regulated nationally under the TSO.
The so-called UCLL (unbundled copper local loop) service would change from calculations based on regional differences, where rural services are more expensive than urban because of lower population density and higher costs of supply in rural areas, to a single, nationally averaged price.
This change would not occur until three years after Telecom structurally separated and is "intended to ensure that the TSO can be delivered on a sustainable basis."
"The TSO requires Telecom to deliver an averaged retail price for a home phone line across all of New Zealand. This means the price a rural household pays is the same as an urban home. Under structural separation, this obligation would remain on the separated retail arm of Telecom," the MED notes say.
However, the TSO could prove unsustainable if Telecom's retail arm was forced to offer a single national price, while its wholesale arm continued to be calculate prices for copper lines on the current basis, where true costs of delivery to urban versus rural households are reflected.
Consistency between wholesale and retail pricing was therefore desirable.
The package also envisages one-off tax law changes to neutralise tax liabilities that would be triggered by structural separation.
This was not a "windfall" for Telecom, but intended to "ensure that structural separation itself does not advantage or disadvantage or its shareholders."
The SOP contains measures that will impose a nationally consistent approach to resource consents for mobile and wireless infrastructure, and grant these technologies the same rights as currently exist for the installation of fixed wire services.
Also included is capacity for Commerce Commission "authorisations" that will allow potentially anti-competitive arrangements to be considered and permitted where public benefits outweigh the downside.
This is intended to prevent court action delaying the UFB roll-out.
A more fundamental review of telecommunications regulation is envisaged in 2018, with a view to adapting to the new commercial environment that the UFB roll-out is expected to create.
Joyce unveils Telecom regulatory relief package
Telecom is offering to structurally separate its wholesale infrastructure arm, Chorus, from its retail services arm in return for being allowed to participate in the government's $1.35 billion ultra-fast broadband initiative.
Telecom this morning reacted cautiously to the release of a proposed new regulatory framework that would come into force if the company separates.
Concerned as much as anything to prevent any perception of a "done deal" while it continues to negotiate with the government's UFB vehicle, Crown Fibre Holdings, Telecom said only that the proposals followed the Ministry of Economic Development's consultation process and that the company would "participate actively, along with other industry players, in the select committee process."
"Telecom remains focused on its on-going intense commercial negotiations with Crown Fibre Holdings," the company said.
The package unveiled today is intended to ensure Telecom can't build a dominant position in the telecommunications environment that will emerge as fibre-optic cable and wireless services gradually replace today's copper-based telephone networks.
Telecom's share price was unchanged at $2.24 in early NZX trading today.
The proposed amendments seek to preserve protections for end-users and competitors, reduce unnecessary costs and complexities, and ensure Telecom is "neither unduly advantaged nor disadvantaged by de-merging in areas such as tax and land access," said Communications Minister Steven Joyce.
Telecom has potential involvement in about 85 per cent of the proposed UFB urban roll-out, and for the $300 million rural broadband roll-out, in a joint-venture with Vodafone.
However, at this stage, Telecom's involvement has not been confirmed. It awaits the outcome of negotiations with Crown Fibre Holdings, the government's vehicle for UFB negotiations.
If successful, Telecom will then put proposals for structural separation to its shareholders.
If unsuccessful, or if shareholders were to reject structural separation, the proposed regulatory changes will not occur. Telecom made clear last year it needed substantial regulatory change because current rules reflect the telecommunications environment as it has been in the past, rather than as it will be when UFB is in place.
The company has yet to respond to the Supplementary Order Paper to the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband and Other Matters) Bill, tabled today, but has previously indicated it could not advance structural separation without this detail.
The two biggest changes outlined in the SOP are to vital aspects of the Telecommunications Service Obligations, which require Telecom to ensure "affordable basic telephone services for all New Zealanders" and have been in place, with modifications, since Telecom was privatised 20 years ago.
However, the SOP also says that there will be a broader review of the Local Service TSO arrangements by the end of 2013, "looking at issues such as whether the current funding arrangements are sustainable."
The first major change proposed is to regulated pricing for copper-based "layer two" services, which currently deliver the platform for non-fibre, fast internet. This will change from a "retail -minus approach to a cost-based approach," according to Ministry of Economic Development notes on the SOP.
This is required because a separated Chorus, delivering such services, would not be offering retail products, so no "retail-minus" price could be deduced.
The second major change is to the way prices for telephone services are regulated nationally under the TSO.
The so-called UCLL (unbundled copper local loop) service would change from calculations based on regional differences, where rural services are more expensive than urban because of lower population density and higher costs of supply in rural areas, to a single, nationally averaged price.
This change would not occur until three years after Telecom structurally separated and is "intended to ensure that the TSO can be delivered on a sustainable basis."
"The TSO requires Telecom to deliver an averaged retail price for a home phone line across all of New Zealand. This means the price a rural household pays is the same as an urban home. Under structural separation, this obligation would remain on the separated retail arm of Telecom," the MED notes say.
However, the TSO could prove unsustainable if Telecom's retail arm was forced to offer a single national price, while its wholesale arm continued to be calculate prices for copper lines on the current basis, where true costs of delivery to urban versus rural households are reflected.
Consistency between wholesale and retail pricing was therefore desirable.
The package also envisages one-off tax law changes to neutralise tax liabilities that would be triggered by structural separation.
This was not a "windfall" for Telecom, but intended to "ensure that structural separation itself does not advantage or disadvantage or its shareholders."
The SOP contains measures that will impose a nationally consistent approach to resource consents for mobile and wireless infrastructure, and grant these technologies the same rights as currently exist for the installation of fixed wire services.
Also included is capacity for Commerce Commission "authorisations" that will allow potentially anti-competitive arrangements to be considered and permitted where public benefits outweigh the downside.
This is intended to prevent court action delaying the UFB roll-out.
A more fundamental review of telecommunications regulation is envisaged in 2018, with a view to adapting to the new commercial environment that the UFB roll-out is expected to create.
Joyce unveils Telecom regulatory relief package
Europe - Deutsche Telecom and France Telecom are exploring extending cooperation, but not a merger
[wireless federation] Deutsche Telekom AG and France Telecom SA are planning to explore potential areas of co-operation in several fields of technology.
The possible partnerships could include radio access network sharing in Europe, improving wireless internet while roaming, equipment standardization and cross-border services.
A France Telecom spokesman stated that this does not include any share swaps.
The two groups already own British mobile operator Everything Everywhere jointly, which has nearly 28 million customers.
France Telecom, Deutsche Telekom plan to expand tech partnership
The possible partnerships could include radio access network sharing in Europe, improving wireless internet while roaming, equipment standardization and cross-border services.
A France Telecom spokesman stated that this does not include any share swaps.
The two groups already own British mobile operator Everything Everywhere jointly, which has nearly 28 million customers.
France Telecom, Deutsche Telekom plan to expand tech partnership
Burundi - Govt to privatise Onatel the incumbent operator, with support from the World Bank
[telegeography] The government of Burundi plans to privatise its state-owned national fixed, mobile and internet service provider Office National des Telecommunications (Onatel) before the end of the year. The move is the latest attempt by the government to sell off a stake in the operator, which faces intense competition in its home market. In January 2009 a presidential decree was adopted authorising the sale of part of the state's shares in Onatel, and three months later Burundi’s Transport and Telecommunications Minister Philippe Njoni told reporters that the government hoped to privatise the PTO by the end of the year in order to make it more competitive. That date came and went, but in a new initiative the government has now appointed Projet de Development des Secteurs Financier et Prive (PDSFP), a World Bank funded project, to handle the privatisation. PDSFP began operations in Burundi in April 2010, replacing the Economic Management Support Project (PAGE), which wound up its operations earlier that year.
Onatel is a 100% state-owned company that offers fixed line and internet services and also provides GSM services through its ONAMOB unit, launched in 2004. It currently competes with five telecom companies mainly offering GSM cellular communications and internet service provision.
Government to privatise Onatel in 2011
Onatel is a 100% state-owned company that offers fixed line and internet services and also provides GSM services through its ONAMOB unit, launched in 2004. It currently competes with five telecom companies mainly offering GSM cellular communications and internet service provision.
Government to privatise Onatel in 2011
The cloud - Ericsson sees this as important for the connected society
[telecoms] As Mobile World Congress kicked off in Barcelona on Monday morning, Ericsson chief Hans Vestberg identified one of the event’s hottest topics – the cloud – announcing a new focus on the technology as the last part of the “connected society”.
The Ericsson chief’s theme was the connected society and the three elements that comprise it: mobility, broadband, and the cloud. Whereas previous MWC events have focused on mobility and broadband, this year’s focus is on the third element.
“As the industry changes, Ericsson has to change too,” Vestberg said. “Today we are focusing on the cloud – more specifically on connecting the clouds – as the last part of the networked society.”
The crux of this new focus is a partnership with cloud and content delivery specialist Akamai, through which Ericsson will offer a content delivery platform optimised for mobile devices.
According to Vestberg, the number of smartphones in use will increase four or five times by 2016 and the generated traffic will increase 30 times, so the end to end quality of contentent delivered becomes key.
Ericsson gets on cloud with Akamai
The Ericsson chief’s theme was the connected society and the three elements that comprise it: mobility, broadband, and the cloud. Whereas previous MWC events have focused on mobility and broadband, this year’s focus is on the third element.
“As the industry changes, Ericsson has to change too,” Vestberg said. “Today we are focusing on the cloud – more specifically on connecting the clouds – as the last part of the networked society.”
The crux of this new focus is a partnership with cloud and content delivery specialist Akamai, through which Ericsson will offer a content delivery platform optimised for mobile devices.
According to Vestberg, the number of smartphones in use will increase four or five times by 2016 and the generated traffic will increase 30 times, so the end to end quality of contentent delivered becomes key.
Ericsson gets on cloud with Akamai
Europe - Users use their mobile phones more often, but still worry about costs
[ec] Almost three quarters of Europeans are worried about the cost of using their mobile phone when travelling in the EU a survey released by the European Commission today shows. 72% of travellers still limit their roaming calls because of high charges even if a majority is aware that prices have fallen since 2006. Only 19% of people who use internet-related services on their mobile phones when abroad think the costs of data-roaming for (Internet surfing or checking e-mails) are fair. The results of this survey, plus the public consultation on the future of the Roaming Regulation (IP/10/1679), which closed on 11th February, will feed into the Commission's review of current EU roaming rules, due by June 2011. The performance target set by the Digital Agenda for Europe (see IP/10/581, MEMO/10/199 and MEMO/10/200) is that the differences between roaming and national tariffs should approach zero by 2015.
Digital Agenda: Europeans use mobile phones more when travelling abroad, but still worry about costs, EU survey reveals
see also full text of Eurobarometer report
Digital Agenda: Europeans use mobile phones more when travelling abroad, but still worry about costs, EU survey reveals
see also full text of Eurobarometer report
Europe - Only 19% of consumer thinking data roaming rates are fair
[isp review] A new survey conducted by the European Commission (EC) has revealed how only a minority (19%) of EU consumers think that the price of Mobile Broadband data roaming within Europe is "fair", with most regarding such costs as being unreasonably high. Overall almost three quarters of Europeans are worried about the cost of using their mobile phone when travelling in the EU (data and voice).
EC Vice-President for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, said:
"Telecom companies must listen to their customers. Consumers feel there is still much room for improvement, particularly for data roaming. As I promised in the Digital Agenda for Europe, I intend to ensure better roaming solutions for European citizens and businesses."
The special Eurobarometer survey on roaming questioned over 26,500 people between August 2010 and September 2010 in the 27 EU Member States. It also revealed that 48% of European mobile phone users have travelled at least once in the last 5 years and just 10% report using Internet services while abroad.
Majority of EU Consumers Believe Mobile Broadband Data Roaming is too Pricey
EC Vice-President for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, said:
"Telecom companies must listen to their customers. Consumers feel there is still much room for improvement, particularly for data roaming. As I promised in the Digital Agenda for Europe, I intend to ensure better roaming solutions for European citizens and businesses."
The special Eurobarometer survey on roaming questioned over 26,500 people between August 2010 and September 2010 in the 27 EU Member States. It also revealed that 48% of European mobile phone users have travelled at least once in the last 5 years and just 10% report using Internet services while abroad.
Majority of EU Consumers Believe Mobile Broadband Data Roaming is too Pricey
UK - Rural areas will take some time to be reached by NG broadband networks according to BSG
[bcs] Getting the roll-out of next generation broadband right in rural areas will take time, it has been claimed.
The Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG) has said the fact that there is no precedent set for introducing the technology to rural areas mean it will take a longer period of time to get it right.
Antony Walker, chief executive of the BSG, said: 'I think that it means that this issue isn't being ignored, it's being taken very seriously and there's a lot of work going on, but it's complicated and there's a lot to learn still about what the best and most effective approaches will be.
'It's important to recognise that nobody's really done this before in terms of building out next-generation networks into challenging rural locations and therefore it takes time to work out how to get it right.'
The comments come after Wrexham MP, Ian Lucas, told PC Pro magazine that he is 'trying to press the government to pull its finger out' on a number of pilot schemes that have been created in order to pioneer next-generation broadband in the UK.
Rural next-generation roll-out 'will take time'
The Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG) has said the fact that there is no precedent set for introducing the technology to rural areas mean it will take a longer period of time to get it right.
Antony Walker, chief executive of the BSG, said: 'I think that it means that this issue isn't being ignored, it's being taken very seriously and there's a lot of work going on, but it's complicated and there's a lot to learn still about what the best and most effective approaches will be.
'It's important to recognise that nobody's really done this before in terms of building out next-generation networks into challenging rural locations and therefore it takes time to work out how to get it right.'
The comments come after Wrexham MP, Ian Lucas, told PC Pro magazine that he is 'trying to press the government to pull its finger out' on a number of pilot schemes that have been created in order to pioneer next-generation broadband in the UK.
Rural next-generation roll-out 'will take time'
Monday, February 14, 2011
Cisco - New solutions offered to meet demand for rapidly growing mobile data traffic
[cisco] Cisco today announced Cisco® MOVE, a strategic framework that comprises new solutions to enable service providers to better manage, enhance and take financial advantage of the rapidly growing volume of mobile video and data traffic.
The new Cisco MOVE (Monetization, Optimization, Videoscape Experience) solutions include Cisco Mobile Videoscape™, Cisco Service Provider Wi-Fi and Cisco Adaptive Intelligent Routing (AIR). Cisco MOVE solutions represent the next phase of Cisco's Service Provider Mobility strategy, which enables service providers to better monetize and optimize their networks, while delivering personalized mobile services across wired and wireless networks.
The new Cisco MOVE solutions span the mobile network -- from client to network to cloud -- and are designed to address the increasing volume of mobile data traffic -- particularly video. According to the recently released Cisco Visual Networking Index (VNI) Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast for 2010 to 2015, two-thirds of the world's mobile data traffic will be video by 2015. Mobile video traffic will more than double every year between 2010 and 2015.
Cisco Drives the Mobile Internet for Enhanced Video Experience Across Wireless Networks
The new Cisco MOVE (Monetization, Optimization, Videoscape Experience) solutions include Cisco Mobile Videoscape™, Cisco Service Provider Wi-Fi and Cisco Adaptive Intelligent Routing (AIR). Cisco MOVE solutions represent the next phase of Cisco's Service Provider Mobility strategy, which enables service providers to better monetize and optimize their networks, while delivering personalized mobile services across wired and wireless networks.
The new Cisco MOVE solutions span the mobile network -- from client to network to cloud -- and are designed to address the increasing volume of mobile data traffic -- particularly video. According to the recently released Cisco Visual Networking Index (VNI) Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast for 2010 to 2015, two-thirds of the world's mobile data traffic will be video by 2015. Mobile video traffic will more than double every year between 2010 and 2015.
Cisco Drives the Mobile Internet for Enhanced Video Experience Across Wireless Networks
Montenegro - Telenor will renumber to +297-01 and replace SIM cards
[telecom paper] Telenor Montenegro announced that it will replace its customers' Sim Cards with new ones by September to comply with a new law that requires mobile operators in Montenegro to introduce a new mobile country code. A new code was introduced as the country split from Serbia and gained its independence. The new code of Telenor Montenegro is 297 01, which it has been successfully implemented in technical systems and networks of its roaming partners. After a phase of implementation and testing, Telenor has the appropriate conditions for the replacement of the SIM cards of all of its customers. Aside from the new code, the new SIM cards have more active content, such as direct access to the balance inquiry, activation and deactivation of a number of services, fun categories (horoscope, jokes, love puzzle) and Facebook. Replacing customers' Sim cards will not be charged.
Telenor Montenegro to replace all Sim cards by September
Telenor Montenegro to replace all Sim cards by September
Australia - Business group calls for funding switch from NBN to Queensland floods
[cio] The Business Council of Australia (BCA) has called for the Federal Government to apply a cost-benefit analysis of the National Broadband Network (NBN), further suggesting that funding to the national infrastructure project be put on hold to pay for the damage of the Queensland Floods.
In its Budget Submission 2011-12 paper to the Federal Government, the business lobby group said a major financial question for the government was whether it was currently investing in the right infrastructure projects.
“Decisions by governments to select infrastructure projects for funding and implementation must be accompanied by a cost–benefit analysis to ensure that scarce economic resources are being diverted to their most productive use,” the submission reads.
The BCA said while government should maintain its commitment to fund important economic infrastructure, the current shortage of funds and labour required in Australia’s export sectors and that needed to support rebuilding efforts from flood damage in the eastern states meant spending on infrastructure for the purpose of stimulating the economy was no longer necessary.
“Any infrastructure project that is currently being supported by government but which has not been demonstrated to provide a net benefit to the Australian economy should be strongly reconsidered,” the submission reads. “The largest of these projects is the National Broadband Network.
“The costs of poor infrastructure decisions are not always immediately apparent but become evident over time. Projects with low or negative economic and social returns effectively hold back the growth of the economy and ultimately act to lower living standards."
According to the BCA, a “coherent and comprehensive” ‘national infrastructure plan’ that would translate the large body of policy advice provided by Infrastructure Australia and others into an actionable plan that prioritises policy reforms and projects for implementation was required.
“One of the priorities of the plan should be to implement policy frameworks that leverage private funds by encouraging private businesses to invest in infrastructure,” the submission reads. “This can be achieved through pursuing infrastructure pricing reforms to better reflect costs and in making planning regimes more efficient and certain.
“Public–private partnerships (PPPs) are well-understood arrangements for transferring construction and operational risks to private partners while government retains regulatory and demand risk.”
The BCA joins fellow business lobby group, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) which in September called on the Federal Government to address concerns within the business community that the NBN’s cost could be covered by future economic benefit.
"There is also a hard headed approach .... which says that we need to ascertain whether the productivity benefits and economic benefits are likely to offset the costs because the costs are very substantial," ACCI chief executive, Peter Anderson told Network 10 at the time.
"There needs to be, I think, more transparency in what those costs are, but I think business does recognise that in the short term at least there will be some costs which are not able to be returned in a direct way," he said.
"There will also need to be some subsidisation into regional Australia, that's recognised with major infrastructure like this, but we don't want to sign a blank cheque off if we are going to roll out major infrastructure like this.
"There does need to be hard headed economic approach to these kind of decisions even though the instinct in the business community is that there can be a real productivity kick and benefit with getting on with the job."
BCA suggests canning the NBN
In its Budget Submission 2011-12 paper to the Federal Government, the business lobby group said a major financial question for the government was whether it was currently investing in the right infrastructure projects.
“Decisions by governments to select infrastructure projects for funding and implementation must be accompanied by a cost–benefit analysis to ensure that scarce economic resources are being diverted to their most productive use,” the submission reads.
The BCA said while government should maintain its commitment to fund important economic infrastructure, the current shortage of funds and labour required in Australia’s export sectors and that needed to support rebuilding efforts from flood damage in the eastern states meant spending on infrastructure for the purpose of stimulating the economy was no longer necessary.
“Any infrastructure project that is currently being supported by government but which has not been demonstrated to provide a net benefit to the Australian economy should be strongly reconsidered,” the submission reads. “The largest of these projects is the National Broadband Network.
“The costs of poor infrastructure decisions are not always immediately apparent but become evident over time. Projects with low or negative economic and social returns effectively hold back the growth of the economy and ultimately act to lower living standards."
According to the BCA, a “coherent and comprehensive” ‘national infrastructure plan’ that would translate the large body of policy advice provided by Infrastructure Australia and others into an actionable plan that prioritises policy reforms and projects for implementation was required.
“One of the priorities of the plan should be to implement policy frameworks that leverage private funds by encouraging private businesses to invest in infrastructure,” the submission reads. “This can be achieved through pursuing infrastructure pricing reforms to better reflect costs and in making planning regimes more efficient and certain.
“Public–private partnerships (PPPs) are well-understood arrangements for transferring construction and operational risks to private partners while government retains regulatory and demand risk.”
The BCA joins fellow business lobby group, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) which in September called on the Federal Government to address concerns within the business community that the NBN’s cost could be covered by future economic benefit.
"There is also a hard headed approach .... which says that we need to ascertain whether the productivity benefits and economic benefits are likely to offset the costs because the costs are very substantial," ACCI chief executive, Peter Anderson told Network 10 at the time.
"There needs to be, I think, more transparency in what those costs are, but I think business does recognise that in the short term at least there will be some costs which are not able to be returned in a direct way," he said.
"There will also need to be some subsidisation into regional Australia, that's recognised with major infrastructure like this, but we don't want to sign a blank cheque off if we are going to roll out major infrastructure like this.
"There does need to be hard headed economic approach to these kind of decisions even though the instinct in the business community is that there can be a real productivity kick and benefit with getting on with the job."
BCA suggests canning the NBN
Trends: hosted PBX, desktop hosting, secure online storage and converged communications
[washington post] Just about everyone in the technology industry expects 2011 to be the year of the cloud, with a mass migration of data centers to hosted Web-based services, accessed over highly secure networks.
As small- to medium-sized enterprises that already have made the switch are discovering, integration of voice and data into a single hosted communications platform provides access to new and emerging technologies and capabilities at lower investment and faster return on investment. Through cloud computing, businesses use one provider to manage their server, voice and data instead of three. The growing popularity of cloud-based services in 2011 will provide new opportunities for service providers to help fiscally cautious businesses extend their post-recession budgets and do more with less.
Here are five trends to watch:
1. Hosted PBX
Hosted cloud-based private branch exchange (PBX) over a managed Voice over Private Internet (VoPI) service helps smaller businesses communicate like Fortune 500 companies. People who are on the go can be reachable at one number -- by co-workers using direct-extension dialing, or by outside callers, who can be transferred within and between locations without ever experiencing a hard handoff. Remote access to voice mail, remote configuration of user features and handsets, content filters and wireless-based backup and recovery systems are features available now or on the way that will help make communications more efficient and cost-effective.
2. Hosted video conferencing amd telepresence
Videoconferencing using high-definition, IP-based, video telephony, 3D cameras and displays helps people feel as if they were present at a staff meeting, job interview, product demonstration or design conference taking place hundreds of miles away. Virtual video gatherings eliminate unnecessary travel time and costs, increase employee productivity and speed time to market by helping businesses make better decisions faster.
3. PC over IP (desktop hosting)
This year will see increasing virtualization of the desktop as organizations wake up to the savings and efficiencies of replacing hard-drive-equipped computers with thinner terminals and moving data storage to the cloud or Web. Virtual desktops can be set up quickly and accessed from any PC with Internet access. Hosted desktop virtualization is currently most popular with small- to medium-sized businesses and start-ups. But it's a practical solution for large organizations and individuals who want experienced IT support and 99.9 percent availability without the expense of a server.
4. Secure network-wide online storage
Security and cost savings will make cloud-based backup more attractive to more organizations. This rapidly maturing technology eliminates the need for a local tape infrastructure, keeps data secure and allows remote access from any Internet-connected device or location. Providers offer 24/7 monitoring, management and reporting features that many companies might not otherwise be able to afford. Working with a cloud provider, companies free themselves of infrastructure upkeep, allowing them to apply their savings to growing their business.
5. Converged communications
The value of converging -- or integrating -- data, voice and video communications over a single IP network comes in the improved ability of people to share, discuss and develop ideas with colleagues anywhere in the world. Voice itself can become a "killer app." The new standard environment integrates voice mail, global telephone network, directory, presence, unified messaging capability, text-to-speech, conferencing, online phone, address book and more. Enterprises adding voice to other IP-compliant applications really begin to see what the technology can do for them.
Five telecommunications trends for 2011
As small- to medium-sized enterprises that already have made the switch are discovering, integration of voice and data into a single hosted communications platform provides access to new and emerging technologies and capabilities at lower investment and faster return on investment. Through cloud computing, businesses use one provider to manage their server, voice and data instead of three. The growing popularity of cloud-based services in 2011 will provide new opportunities for service providers to help fiscally cautious businesses extend their post-recession budgets and do more with less.
Here are five trends to watch:
1. Hosted PBX
Hosted cloud-based private branch exchange (PBX) over a managed Voice over Private Internet (VoPI) service helps smaller businesses communicate like Fortune 500 companies. People who are on the go can be reachable at one number -- by co-workers using direct-extension dialing, or by outside callers, who can be transferred within and between locations without ever experiencing a hard handoff. Remote access to voice mail, remote configuration of user features and handsets, content filters and wireless-based backup and recovery systems are features available now or on the way that will help make communications more efficient and cost-effective.
2. Hosted video conferencing amd telepresence
Videoconferencing using high-definition, IP-based, video telephony, 3D cameras and displays helps people feel as if they were present at a staff meeting, job interview, product demonstration or design conference taking place hundreds of miles away. Virtual video gatherings eliminate unnecessary travel time and costs, increase employee productivity and speed time to market by helping businesses make better decisions faster.
3. PC over IP (desktop hosting)
This year will see increasing virtualization of the desktop as organizations wake up to the savings and efficiencies of replacing hard-drive-equipped computers with thinner terminals and moving data storage to the cloud or Web. Virtual desktops can be set up quickly and accessed from any PC with Internet access. Hosted desktop virtualization is currently most popular with small- to medium-sized businesses and start-ups. But it's a practical solution for large organizations and individuals who want experienced IT support and 99.9 percent availability without the expense of a server.
4. Secure network-wide online storage
Security and cost savings will make cloud-based backup more attractive to more organizations. This rapidly maturing technology eliminates the need for a local tape infrastructure, keeps data secure and allows remote access from any Internet-connected device or location. Providers offer 24/7 monitoring, management and reporting features that many companies might not otherwise be able to afford. Working with a cloud provider, companies free themselves of infrastructure upkeep, allowing them to apply their savings to growing their business.
5. Converged communications
The value of converging -- or integrating -- data, voice and video communications over a single IP network comes in the improved ability of people to share, discuss and develop ideas with colleagues anywhere in the world. Voice itself can become a "killer app." The new standard environment integrates voice mail, global telephone network, directory, presence, unified messaging capability, text-to-speech, conferencing, online phone, address book and more. Enterprises adding voice to other IP-compliant applications really begin to see what the technology can do for them.
Five telecommunications trends for 2011
Australia - Wireless networks could compete with the NBN, reducing adoption rates
[smh] The rising use of wireless technology could pose a risk to the national broadband network, a report commissioned by the Gillard government says.
The government aims to connect 93 per cent of Australian households with high-speed optical fibres by 2020.
In the longer term, NBN Co, the firm building the $36 billion network, is aiming for world-class connections of 1000 megabits a second.
But competition from wireless technology could challenge take-up forecasts of the national broadband network, corporate advisory firm Greenhill Caliburn says in its analysis of the NBN Co business case.
"Trends towards 'mobile-centric' broadband networks could also have significant long-term implications for NBN Co's fibre offerings, to the extent that some consumers may be willing to sacrifice higher-speed fibre transmissions for the convenience of mobile platforms," the report said.
The report said NBN Co should monitor the prevalence of homes with wireless-only connections.
Bad services from internet service providers selling access to the NBN, could also turn consumers off broadband, the report says.
There are also risks to forecasts about average revenue per user.
Private retail service providers, plugging consumers into the network, may experience an erosion on their profit margins, and struggle as customers remain unwilling to pay for a premium product.
During the next decade, telco giant Telstra will decommission its copper wire network and move customers to the NBN.
As this happens, pricing levels will need to be monitored before the network is rolled out nationally, the report says.
Responding to the report, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said the government would establish performance targets for NBN Co.
"As with any infrastructure project, there are always risks, contingencies and external factors and the government will work closely with NBN Co to put in place agreed performance indicators," Senator Conroy said.
Wireless could affect NBN: report
The government aims to connect 93 per cent of Australian households with high-speed optical fibres by 2020.
In the longer term, NBN Co, the firm building the $36 billion network, is aiming for world-class connections of 1000 megabits a second.
But competition from wireless technology could challenge take-up forecasts of the national broadband network, corporate advisory firm Greenhill Caliburn says in its analysis of the NBN Co business case.
"Trends towards 'mobile-centric' broadband networks could also have significant long-term implications for NBN Co's fibre offerings, to the extent that some consumers may be willing to sacrifice higher-speed fibre transmissions for the convenience of mobile platforms," the report said.
The report said NBN Co should monitor the prevalence of homes with wireless-only connections.
Bad services from internet service providers selling access to the NBN, could also turn consumers off broadband, the report says.
There are also risks to forecasts about average revenue per user.
Private retail service providers, plugging consumers into the network, may experience an erosion on their profit margins, and struggle as customers remain unwilling to pay for a premium product.
During the next decade, telco giant Telstra will decommission its copper wire network and move customers to the NBN.
As this happens, pricing levels will need to be monitored before the network is rolled out nationally, the report says.
Responding to the report, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said the government would establish performance targets for NBN Co.
"As with any infrastructure project, there are always risks, contingencies and external factors and the government will work closely with NBN Co to put in place agreed performance indicators," Senator Conroy said.
Wireless could affect NBN: report
UK - Registry opens debate on cutting off access to domain names suspected involved in criminal activities
[expert reviews] Nominet, the .uk domain name registry, has said that it will have a public debate over whether it should be responsible for cutting off access to websites suspected of involvement in criminal activity.
The move comes after the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) requested in November that Nominet was given the formal power to shut down websites. Currently, the registry is under no obligation to do so, although it will listen to requests from law enforcement agencies and act accordingly.
Current practice has Nominet expecting the domain registrar taking action first and action at the registry level only being required for urgent incidents or if the registrar failed to comply. SOCA wants to see Nominet respond faster to requests and act directly.
In addition, Nominent wants to investigate its terms and conditions to see if they need updating to take into account criminal websites.
"Nominet does not have any clear obligation in its registrant Terms and Conditions that a domain name should not be used in connection with any activity that would constitute an offence under UK criminal law. This is in contrast to many registrars and a number of registries including .org and .biz," said Nominet in its Policy issue brief.
The .uk registry is now calling for interested stakeholders to put themselves forward for a public debate on the issue. Interested parties are being called on to register by 23rd February.
A final working group is expected to be announced by 2nd March, with the first meeting due to take place later that month after members have been sent a summary covering the issues to be discussed.
Nominet creates public debate over criminal website take-down
The move comes after the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) requested in November that Nominet was given the formal power to shut down websites. Currently, the registry is under no obligation to do so, although it will listen to requests from law enforcement agencies and act accordingly.
Current practice has Nominet expecting the domain registrar taking action first and action at the registry level only being required for urgent incidents or if the registrar failed to comply. SOCA wants to see Nominet respond faster to requests and act directly.
In addition, Nominent wants to investigate its terms and conditions to see if they need updating to take into account criminal websites.
"Nominet does not have any clear obligation in its registrant Terms and Conditions that a domain name should not be used in connection with any activity that would constitute an offence under UK criminal law. This is in contrast to many registrars and a number of registries including .org and .biz," said Nominet in its Policy issue brief.
The .uk registry is now calling for interested stakeholders to put themselves forward for a public debate on the issue. Interested parties are being called on to register by 23rd February.
A final working group is expected to be announced by 2nd March, with the first meeting due to take place later that month after members have been sent a summary covering the issues to be discussed.
Nominet creates public debate over criminal website take-down
Sunday, February 13, 2011
South Africa - Potential merger of Infraco and Sentech has raised concerns about the lack of synergies
[techcentral] The departments of public enterprises and communications are reportedly in discussions to explore the synergies between Broadband Infraco and Sentech, a move that has analysts concerned.
Moneyweb reported on Friday that public enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba and communications minister Roy Padayachie were in discussions to explore a tie-up between the two companies.
Infraco, which only launched commercial services late last year, is a state-owned wholesale telecommunications operator; Sentech, also owned by government, specialises in signal distribution for broadcasting.
The talks between the ministers has sparked speculation that a tie-up could result in government entering the retail broadband market, a possibility that would not be welcomed by commercial operators.
Infraco has already been denied the chance to provide retail broadband services to consumers. The company was granted a network licence only, not the service licence it would need to provide retail products.
Sentech has also dabbled in the retail broadband space, although its efforts in this area failed completely. It invested hundreds of millions of rand in a broadband product called MyWireless, which was later scrapped.
Both Infraco and Sentech have recently come under the spotlight for alleged financial mismanagement and tender troubles.
Arthur Goldstuck, MD of World Wide Worx, says a tie-up between the two companies would probably multiply their problems rather than resolving them. “It looks worryingly like combining two ineffectual entities in broadband delivery,” he says.
Another analyst, who asked to remain unnamed to protect a relationship with both Sentech and Infraco says the plan is not entirely without merit, but the two companies would have to make dramatic changes for it to work.
Possible Sentech, Infraco deal has analysts worried
Moneyweb reported on Friday that public enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba and communications minister Roy Padayachie were in discussions to explore a tie-up between the two companies.
Infraco, which only launched commercial services late last year, is a state-owned wholesale telecommunications operator; Sentech, also owned by government, specialises in signal distribution for broadcasting.
The talks between the ministers has sparked speculation that a tie-up could result in government entering the retail broadband market, a possibility that would not be welcomed by commercial operators.
Infraco has already been denied the chance to provide retail broadband services to consumers. The company was granted a network licence only, not the service licence it would need to provide retail products.
Sentech has also dabbled in the retail broadband space, although its efforts in this area failed completely. It invested hundreds of millions of rand in a broadband product called MyWireless, which was later scrapped.
Both Infraco and Sentech have recently come under the spotlight for alleged financial mismanagement and tender troubles.
Arthur Goldstuck, MD of World Wide Worx, says a tie-up between the two companies would probably multiply their problems rather than resolving them. “It looks worryingly like combining two ineffectual entities in broadband delivery,” he says.
Another analyst, who asked to remain unnamed to protect a relationship with both Sentech and Infraco says the plan is not entirely without merit, but the two companies would have to make dramatic changes for it to work.
Possible Sentech, Infraco deal has analysts worried
UK - Average mobile broadband subscriber does not care about their inability to access LTE
[cable] Most subscribers just want to stream content, Nigel Wright of Spirent has argued.
The average mobile broadband subscriber does not care about their inability to access Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, a telecoms expert has said.
In an interview with PC Pro, vice president of wireless product marketing at Spirent Nigel Wright argued the length of time taken for UK carriers to roll out the technology will have little effect on consumers who do not understand its benefits.
"From an end user perspective, they do not need to go to LTE today. An end user couldn't care less," he remarked.
Although Mr Wright acknowledged the most "tech-savvy" want access to the service as soon as possible, the majority "just want to be able to stream their content".
This is something that can already be achieved with current networks, he added.
His comments come after Tim Sefton, new business development director at O2, warned it is likely to be some time until 4G becomes widely available in the UK.
Speaking to TechRadar, he said this service is "years" away.
LTE not an issue for most mobile broadband users, says expert
The average mobile broadband subscriber does not care about their inability to access Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, a telecoms expert has said.
In an interview with PC Pro, vice president of wireless product marketing at Spirent Nigel Wright argued the length of time taken for UK carriers to roll out the technology will have little effect on consumers who do not understand its benefits.
"From an end user perspective, they do not need to go to LTE today. An end user couldn't care less," he remarked.
Although Mr Wright acknowledged the most "tech-savvy" want access to the service as soon as possible, the majority "just want to be able to stream their content".
This is something that can already be achieved with current networks, he added.
His comments come after Tim Sefton, new business development director at O2, warned it is likely to be some time until 4G becomes widely available in the UK.
Speaking to TechRadar, he said this service is "years" away.
LTE not an issue for most mobile broadband users, says expert
Australia - Agreement with Telstra over NBN is a major step forward
[smh] THE national broadband network has cleared another hurdle, after Telstra and the NBN Co nailed down details of their $11 billion deal designed to lower the network's cost.
The agreement of ''key commercial terms'', announced yesterday, paves the way for Telstra to shut down its copper wire network and share its infrastructure with NBN Co, allowing for a faster rollout.
Telstra shareholders must now vote on whether to proceed with the complex deal, which will be thrashed out by lawyers before being put to a vote as early as July. The government hailed the agreement as a big step towards bringing high-speed internet to households.
Advertisement: Story continues below
The Minister for Broadband, Stephen Conroy, said the government and Telstra had also agreed to a $100 million package to retrain Telstra workers for the network rollout, and a publicity campaign to educate people about the network.
The deal between NBN Co and Telstra was announced at Telstra's half-year financial results, where the company revealed a 36 per cent decline in profit.
Broadband rollout boost
The agreement of ''key commercial terms'', announced yesterday, paves the way for Telstra to shut down its copper wire network and share its infrastructure with NBN Co, allowing for a faster rollout.
Telstra shareholders must now vote on whether to proceed with the complex deal, which will be thrashed out by lawyers before being put to a vote as early as July. The government hailed the agreement as a big step towards bringing high-speed internet to households.
Advertisement: Story continues below
The Minister for Broadband, Stephen Conroy, said the government and Telstra had also agreed to a $100 million package to retrain Telstra workers for the network rollout, and a publicity campaign to educate people about the network.
The deal between NBN Co and Telstra was announced at Telstra's half-year financial results, where the company revealed a 36 per cent decline in profit.
Broadband rollout boost
Tunisia - Following the revolution, the IPO for Tunisie Telecom has been abandoned
[african manager] Attributing it to the circumstances Tunisia is living through, Sami Zaoui, the new Secretary of State for ICT had initially spoken, during a press conference, of a suspension of the privatization of the telephone operator TT (Tunisie Télécom). He ended on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, by deciding the outright cancellation of any intention to privatize TT. The decision was taken and put in the minutes of a meeting with the union.
No more intention to privatize Tunisie Telecom
No more intention to privatize Tunisie Telecom
UK - Regulator criticized for lack of action on fixed line competition
[bbc] Communication industry regulator Ofcom has not done enough to increase competition among landline providers and to make switching providers easier, an MPs' report has concluded.
The public accounts committee also said Ofcom must do more to allow those that fund it to judge its performance.
It was impossible to determine if Ofcom gives value for money, it said.
Ofcom said it was "surprised" by the criticism about competition, saying that improvements had been made.
However, the report found an "overall positive picture" of competition in the UK communications market.
"The communications market is in most cases working well and consumers are enjoying the benefits of competition," said committee chairman Margaret Hodge.
Ofcom 'not doing enough' for landline competition
see also 20th Report of PAC
The public accounts committee also said Ofcom must do more to allow those that fund it to judge its performance.
It was impossible to determine if Ofcom gives value for money, it said.
Ofcom said it was "surprised" by the criticism about competition, saying that improvements had been made.
However, the report found an "overall positive picture" of competition in the UK communications market.
"The communications market is in most cases working well and consumers are enjoying the benefits of competition," said committee chairman Margaret Hodge.
Ofcom 'not doing enough' for landline competition
see also 20th Report of PAC
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